HULL KR coach Craig Sandercock believes Luke George is the perfect player to replace Kris Welham against Super League's defending champions Leeds Rhinos.
Welham has been ruled out for a month after picking up a shoulder injury in a heavy challenge from St Helens' Ade Gardner last weekend.
It is the latest in a series of injury setbacks for Rovers' 25-year-old vice-captain, who missed the final third of last season with a broken ankle and the start of this campaign with a broken hand.
It saw Sandercock dip into the loan market this week and bring in George from Huddersfield.
And having quickly settled into life at KR, Sandercock says he has made an immediate impact and is likely to play.
"Luke has fitted in really well this week, almost like he's been here for a long time," Sandercock told the Mail.
"He is a very good player with over 60 games to his name. He has that experience under his belt and he's someone I feel can add something to our team.
"He will complement what we already have in the squad and I'd say there is a fair chance of him starting for us."
Sandercock had been chasing George for a number of weeks as he comes to terms with mounting injuries.
As well as long-term absentees Sean Gleeson and Ryan O'Hara, Graeme Horne will miss out again this week, and Craig Hall could join them on the sidelines as he recovers from the head-high tackle that resulted in Francis Meli being sent off and banned for four games.
George is the second loan signing Sandercock has made this season from the Giants, a club Rovers have forged a close relationship with in recent seasons.
Dale Ferguson joined earlier in the season and made a valuable contribution to the Robins' cause.
Sandercock is grateful to the Giants for agreeing to let George join them for a month, with his ability to play on the wing or at centre one of the main reasons why Sandercock persisted in bringing him to East Hull.
"Luke was one of the ones I talked about bringing in recently," he said.
"I had a good chat with Paul Anderson at Huddersfield about him and full credit to him for letting us have Luke on loan.
"Both centre and wing is an option for Luke and I'll decide on where is best for him against Leeds.
"We have to present the best 17 players to be competitive against Leeds.
"He's a decent size and is equally at home at centre or on the wing. I have no hesitation in playing him in either position."
